Dr. Luis Canales is the Associate Provost for Illinois International at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, where he provides strategic leadership and oversight for a comprehensive suite of global programs and services. His portfolio includes Global Communications, Global Education and Training, Global Relations, Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange, International Safety and Security, International Student and Scholar Services, Human Resources, International Business Operations, and Shared Administrative Services. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Canales is an accomplished leader in the field of international education, bringing expertise in directing global programs, teaching, training, and managing both human and financial resources. He has also successfully led numerous international development projects in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Dr. Canales earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development, with a specialization in Higher Education Administration, from the University of Louisville.

Michelle joined Illinois International in 2023. As the Associate Director for International Safety and Security, her focus is the safety and security of students participating in study abroad, with a particular emphasis on student preparation. Michelle also provides global emergency response services to travelers. Before joining Illinois International, Michelle worked for the U.S. Department of State as a security specialist and member of the Foreign Service.

Dr. Sammer Saleh Jones is the Director for Global Relations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she leads the development and management of strategic international partnerships that enhance the university’s global impact. In this role, she provides comprehensive oversight of institutional engagements, international contracts, and high-profile delegation visits. She plays a pivotal role in connecting international partners with campus stakeholders and fostering collaborations that advance Illinois International’s strategic priorities.

In addition to her extensive work across global networks, Dr. Jones serves as the Campus Fulbright Scholar Liaison, actively promoting Fulbright opportunities and providing protocol guidance for senior university leaders on international travel and engagements. She is also the U21 Officer, responsible for promoting the value of the Universitas 21 (U21) network within the university and facilitating engagement across U21 student, staff, and research opportunities. Additionally, she serves as the Director for the Trilateral Partnership with National Taiwan University and Kyushu University.

A former Fulbright Administrative Fellow to Germany, Dr. Jones brings a wealth of international experience, contributing significantly to international education and engagement through both leadership and mentoring. Her dedication to teaching was recognized multiple times on the “List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent” at Illinois while she was a doctoral candidate.

Dr. Jones earned her BS in Pre-Med/African American Studies from Simmons College, MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Boston University, and both her MBA and PhD in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on the nineteenth-century educational history of Liberia, West Africa. With a multidisciplinary background spanning business, health, and education, Dr. Jones has worked in diverse settings across Liberia, South Africa, and the U.S., bringing a global perspective and a commitment to advancing international partnerships.

Prior to her graduate studies, Dr. Jones contributed to critical projects at the Harvard School of Public Health on violence prevention and at the MetroHealth Center in Cleveland on breast cancer research.

Deborah first joined Illinois International as an Administrative Aide in December 2020 before being promoted to Assistant to the Vice Provost for International Affairs and Global Strategies in July 2022. Before joining Illinois International, Deborah was the Visiting Assistant Director of Donor Relations for the Education Justice Project in the College of Education. Deborah received her B.S. in Business Administrations from Chicago State University. As Assistant to the Vice Provost for International Affairs and Global Strategies, Deborah's main duties include providing executive-level administrative support to the Office of the Vice Provost, including managing general operations for the main office. Additionally, Debbie will lead the daily operations of Illinois International's Shared Administrative Services.

Martin became director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in 2015. A former international student himself, he had been with the ISSS office for ten years prior to becoming director, and held responsibility as the office’s primary expert on student visa policies and regulations. Martin earned his Master’s degree in English and Film Studies from the University of Aberdeen.

Joy began serving as the Director of IAGE in September 2017. She originally joined IAGE in 2013 as Assistant Director for Academic Integration. In her role, Joy collaborates closely with both on campus academic departments and international partners abroad to identify and develop study abroad programming that aligns with and complements academic learning goals. She also oversees the incoming exchange student program and study abroad academic processing teams for IAGE. Previously, Joy worked at the City University of New York in New York, NY, and developed a variety of study abroad policies for the university system. She has a background in refugee and immigrant services in government and non-profit sectors, and studied abroad in India. Joy earned her B.A. in Religious Studies and Asian Studies from Kenyon College and M.A. in Sustainable Development from the SIT Graduate Institute, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Matt Rosenstein became Director of Global Education and Training (GET) in 2015. During Matt’s tenure, the Shanghai Office and the Intensive English Institute became a part of GET. Prior to joining GET, from 2010-2015 he was Senior Associate Director of the European Union Center (EUC) at the University of Illinois. Rosenstein also served as EUC’s Director of Graduate Studies for the Master of Arts degree program in EU Studies. Previously, Rosenstein was Associate Director of the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security (ACDIS) at Illinois from 2001-2010. He holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a B.A. degree from Duke University.

Marta serves as Director for Global Communications. Her primary responsibility is to plan, execute, and evaluate strategic communications that globally promote the university and its international initiatives and achievements. She manages Global Communications shared services, working closely with unit staff, the leadership team, and campus offices to ensure streamlined communication with both internal and external audiences. Additionally, as a member of the Global Strategy implementation team, Marta is responsible for the promotion and planning of related activities. Marta has been with Illinois International since 2015.

Prior to joining Illinois International, Marta worked in communications and outreach for non-profit organizations in Japan, India, and the United States. Marta brings with her a strong background and enthusiasm for all things international. Although a native of Illinois, she spent many years living and studying in Japan. Marta earned her B.A. in Asian Studies and Economics from Knox College, her M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and studied for a year at Waseda University in Japan.

John holds a Master of Business Administration from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences with a minor in Sociology from the University of Illinois. He has worked at Heartland Community College for over 9 years bringing experience in planning fundraising events, developing policies and procedures for college grant office, writing and editing grant applications, overseeing Adult Education budget, fiscal and programmatic guidance, served on the college’s strategic and accreditation planning team, as well as provided one-on-one trainings.

As the Associate Director for Budgeting and Resource Planning, John is responsible for managing and provide daily oversight of fiscal activity for Illinois International, including providing leadership of all financial facets, budget oversight, expenditure analysis, outreach and administer fellowships and awards, and ad hoc financial reporting.